.
Ernie and Duke became friends during the filming. In the mid-'70's, I landed at Suburban (Toledo) and saw an odd-looking pusher-twin seaplane being tended by its owner in a T-hangar. Turns out this Piaggio Royal Gull had been Gann's ride during that time, and he and Duke had spent a few hours in it.
Most of the old guys I know are pretty humble, but tell it like it was when pressed. IMO, today's aviators lack the soul of their predecessors. It took a certain individual to succeed back then. I came on when the last range systems were being phased out, those were the golden days for sure.
No one's mentioned it, but Gann went on to also become a successful Broadway producer.
I flew with an 80+ old ex-NWA captain I met a couple years ago. He was typed in -4s, -6s, 580, and the 9. He'd just done about all one could. I had a drop-off in a 421C for the owner, and they let him ride along. I let him fly the dead-head leg (of course). From taxi to takeoff, 1 hour enroute, and landing, he wore that airplane. I barely had to say a thing. He made an elegant descent with minute power reductions, and greased the landing. I remarked on how well he handled the bird as we taxied in. He looked to me with a small tear in his eye. Said he hadn't flown since he retired. Gave me a chill, and made me feel like a hack at the same time.
.
Ernie and Duke became friends during the filming. In the mid-'70's, I landed at Suburban (Toledo) and saw an odd-looking pusher-twin seaplane being tended by its owner in a T-hangar. Turns out this Piaggio Royal Gull had been Gann's ride during that time, and he and Duke had spent a few hours in it.
Most of the old guys I know are pretty humble, but tell it like it was when pressed. IMO, today's aviators lack the soul of their predecessors. It took a certain individual to succeed back then. I came on when the last range systems were being phased out, those were the golden days for sure.
No one's mentioned it, but Gann went on to also become a successful Broadway producer.
I flew with an 80+ old ex-NWA captain I met a couple years ago. He was typed in -4s, -6s, 580, and the 9. He'd just done about all one could. I had a drop-off in a 421C for the owner, and they let him ride along. I let him fly the dead-head leg (of course). From taxi to takeoff, 1 hour enroute, and landing, he wore that airplane. I barely had to say a thing. He made an elegant descent with minute power reductions, and greased the landing. I remarked on how well he handled the bird as we taxied in. He looked to me with a small tear in his eye. Said he hadn't flown since he retired. Gave me a chill, and made me feel like a hack at the same time.
.
